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The construction of the Bioceanic railroad, which could cross acrean territory towards the Pacific, has taken an important step with the announcement that feasibility studies should be finalized within two years. The information was confirmed by the Minister of Planning and Budget, Simone Tebet, during a public hearing in the House of Representatives, on Wednesday (9), in Brasilia.
Minister spoke about the bill during a hearing in the Chamber of Deputies/Photo: Lula Marques/Agência Brasil
The project is part of South American integration routes, one of the main bets of the federal government to reinforce the logistics infrastructure between Brazil and neighboring countries. The proposal provides for the rail connection between Lucas do Rio Verde (MT) and the port of Chancay, Peru, passing through strategic states such as Mato Grosso, Rondônia and Acre.
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With technical support from China, the study will be prepared by state Infra Sa, linked to the Ministry of Transport, in partnership with China Railway Economic and Planning Research Institute. The forecast is that the work will be delivered within 18 to 20 months – at no cost to the Brazilian government.
During his speech, Tebet pointed out that the initial schedule provided for up to ten years to conclude the analysis, but the partnership with the Chinese dramatically shortened the deadline.
“It will be 18 to 20 months dedicated to the elaboration of the feasibility project and, from there, it will be up to the next government to decide its implementation. Still, I consider a gift that all of us, National Congress and Brazilian politics as a whole, we can deliver to Brazil,” said the minister.
The minister stressed that the memorandum signed with China is a technical cooperation agreement, without any financial obligation for Brazil, and that the initiative is not linked to the so -called new Silk Route – Global Investment Plan promoted by the Chinese government.
According to Tebet, Chinese interest is justified by the search for shorter and more economic routes for the flow of Brazilian commodities.
The proposal of a railroad that crosses Acre towards the Pacific Ocean is seen as strategic by local authorities, who believe in the potential to transform the state into a logistics corridor for Brazilian exports to Asia. The railroad also emerges as an alternative to the Panama Canal, and may reduce the transportation time between the two continents by up to three weeks.
